Sold-Out Crowd attends A Priority Place Film Premiere

Close to 150 people turned out on Friday November 10th (2023) to celebrate the premiere of A Priority Place, a full-length documentary film on the drive to preserve biodiversity and a sustainable way of life in the Long Point Biosphere Region. Many attendees called the film “inspiring” adding that the dedicated people and projects that the documentary features make one “proud to live in Norfolk County.”

The film showing at the Capitol 33 event centre in Delhi followed a cocktail reception, special announcements, and an introduction by Gregg McLachlin, founder of WorkCabin Creative, an award-winning journalist and the film’s producer.

“In my work, I have seen many impressive conservation projects and committed people across Ontario and elsewhere,” McLachlan told the crowd. “But I’m particularly happy to help share the stories of enthusiasm , partnerships, and impact in the place where I live.”

The film’s release marks the Long Point/Walsingham Forest area’s 5th anniversary as the first federally designated “Priority Place” in Ontario. The 2018 Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) designation made the region eligible for special funding under the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation.  A long-established UNESCO World Biosphere, the region gained the “Priority Place” status in recognition of its unique stretch of Carolinian Forest, habitat for many endangered species, and conservation community with its highly collaborative approach to restoration, road mortality mitigation, invasive species eradication, and nature education.

“The passion, commitment, and contributions of the people featured in the film really gives you hope for our very special place in the world,” said Tom Via, Chair of the Long Point Biosphere Region. “It’s truly uplifting.”

In his remarks, Via commended the Priority Place partners as well as Cynthia Brink, Biosphere manager of the project. He also announced that the funds raised from the evening would support Biosphere outreach and student education projects including the establishment of the Isabella Brink-Read Bursary. “The Bella Bursary” will support Norfolk County students attending the annual Ontario Nature Youth Summit for Mother Nature. Via told the audience that the Biosphere Region would soon be signing a collaboration agreement with a major Ontario university to bring a new dimension to research and land-based education in the region.

ECCC supported the production of A Priority Place to showcase the local conservation work, which involved a host of government and non-government partner organizations celebrated at the film premiere (see Priority Place Partners).

Many local businesses also pitched in to make the evening a special event with raffle prizes and gift basket items: they are Fancy Farmerettes, Haskett’s Hooch, Hometown Brewing Co., Cider Keg Farm Market, Apple Hill Lavender, Meuse Brewing Co. , Charlotteville Brewing Co. , Sayza Hot Yoga, Norfolk Juice Co., Wishbone Brewing Co. , and Bonnieheath Estate Winery and Lavender Farm.

A Priority Place will be submitted to film festivals, shared in excerpts on social media, and distributed for educational purposes.

For more information contact: education@longpointbiosphere.com

Film Trailer below.

The Long Point Biosphere Region was delighted to sign an agreement with Nature Canada this summer (August 2023) to sustain the Naturehood program in our area for another year.

Naturehood is actually a suite of programs that connect young people from all walks of life to the natural heritage of Norfolk County.  The programs give young people and their families an opportunity to learn about the importance of natural wildlife areas in the Long Point Biosphere.

“Many of us know about the major natural sites like Backus Woods, the Big Creek Wildlife area, and Long Point in our region,” says program manager Cynthia Brink. “They are very important, but Naturehood also introduces young people to the vital role played by small ponds, woodlots, and lesser-known elements of our natural surroundings.”

The programs also include field trips to the Long Point Bird Observatory where students witness bird banding at one of the most exciting and renowned places for bird studies on the continent.

Nature Canada’s contribution of $18K to our region’s Naturehood programs calls for matching funds and in-kind support, and we always welcome help in meeting this challenge. For more info contact communications@longpointbiosphere.com

On August 22, 2023, Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), visited Norfolk County meeting with representatives of the Long Point Biosphere Region, Birds Canada, and the Canadian Wildlife Service.  She toured Long Point to see the impact of the Government of Canada’s investment of some $4.8 million in preserving biodiversity in our very special place.

“I was reminded today, that as Canadians, we are so lucky to be surrounded by so much natural beauty,” Ms. Dabrusin said. “Great things can happen when partners come together to support the environment, and this is especially true in Long Point.”

The Parliamentary Secretary heard presentations on road ecology, took part in birding, learned of our support of the Moccasin Identifier project, saw the special Biosphere mural at Long Point Eco-Adventures, and, with obvious glee, helped in the release of turtle hatchlings into the Long Point Bay marshes.

“It was a great opportunity to not only brief the Parliamentary Secretary on the current state of the Biosphere, but to also explore opportunities for expanding our robust partnership with ECCC and through the Priority Place initiative,” said Long Point Biosphere Chair Tom Via.  “A BIG thank you goes out to Birds Canada and Long Point Biosphere team members Sarah Emons, Cynthia Brink, Kari Gunson, and Andrew Couturier for their outstanding efforts in showcasing conservation work in our region.”

For more information on Ms. Dabusin’s visit and government support for the Biosphere and our partners in the region click here